Beckerman’s international experience dates back to 1997 with the U-16 National Team. He later moved up to the U-17 for which he made 40 appearances and netted 15 goals. He was part of the team that reached fourth place at the New Zealand Championship in 1999.

Beckerman jumped to the senior team in 2007, making the roster for the Copa America in Venezuela. There he earned two caps including one against powerhouse Argentina. He also played with the USMNT at the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The US team came in second place.

The midfielder has appeared with the USMNT in many games before and since the last World Cup in South Africa. However, despite all of his international experience, Beckerman is playing in his first World Cup.

Kyle Beckerman started his professional career with the Miami Fusion in MLS back in 2000; the team was dissolved a year later. The Colorado Rapids picked him up in the 2002 MLS Dispersal Draft. In his second season with the Rapids, Beckerman made his breakthrough, developing into one of the team’s best offensive players.

He was traded to Real Salt Lake in July of 2007, and eventually took over as captain, He lead the team to the MLS Finals in 2009, where Real Salt Lake beat the LA Galaxy on penalty kicks. That season, Beckerman played in his 200th game, becoming the youngest player in MLS history to do so.

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Beckerman has been long overdue to play in the World Cup with the United States Men’s National Team. And at 32 years of age, he is finally living the soccer dream. With his dreadlocks and tattoos, Beckerman cuts an interesting figure on the field. The free spirit, however, fits right in on the international stage and in soccer-happy Brazil.

Beckerman had a strong debut against Ghana, helping to secure the box against an attack-minded opponent. He was instrumental in the US team’s much-needed win and will likely get the start against Portugal.

J.L. Herrera is a huge fan of football and has been following the Raiders since the 1980s during the LA era. J.L. is also a freelance writer and copywriter on the web. He taught English for a little more than a decade in Los Angeles at the secondary level. While writing for web-based news outlets, J.L. enjoys reading, creative writing, and watching sports. His work can be found on Examiner.com.